PRC ambassador on Phl-China relations

In his speech before the Philippine Constitution Association (PHILCONSA) Tuesday at the Manila Hotel, the People’s Republic of China Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao, spoke about developing mutually beneficial relations and cooperation between Filipinos and mainland China businessmen in two-way trade and industry and investment development, particularly in the areas of agriculture, mining, infrastructure, renewable energy, power and tourism.

This columnist agrees that Filipino businessmen who are aspiring to do business in China should first study and learn as much as possible about China and the “hows” in doing business in that country and with Chinese businessmen, and also strive to educate their Chinese counterparts about doing business in the Philippines in order for both sides to better prepare and understand the best way they could pursue and achieve their mutual objectives, and prevent any untoward or unfortunate incident such as the one that happened with the aborted ZTE project.

I also observed Ambassador Liu’s positive reaction as a seasoned international relations person for the possible opening of a continuing dialogue between his Office and PHILCONSA members in addressing specific ways and means to establish and implement practical and doable initiatives or projects between Filipino and mainland Chinese companies and businessmen in two-way trade, industry and investment development. This is an indication of China’s interest to continue China’s pursuit for better business relations and understanding with the Philippines and its peoples, instead of dwelling on the negative and isolated issues such as the ZTE and Chinese hostage-taking incidents. 

PHILCONSA President Justice Manuel M. Lazaro agreed on the spot to create a “working group” within PHILCONSA and its cooperators across the country, who are respected and highly experienced technocrats and entrepreneurs, to follow through and start discussions with the PRC embassy in developing a good working relationship that could attract inward lawful investments that could support the Philippine government’s efforts in generating jobs for Filipinos.

The ambassador talked of the open-mindedness of Filipinos as something that foreign investors find important in doing business here. He also said that areas that can be further improved are determination, cooperation, reviewing of economic policies and knowing more about China.

The amiable diplomat smiled when a comment was made of China being a superpower. He said, “We are not a superpower, we are still a developing country, and we have a long way to go in improving our economy.” He added, though, that the China has the second largest economy in the world, and that it may overtake Japan soon.

If that isn’t being a superpower, what is?

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As the nation Tuesday mourned the deaths of 57 civilians that included 32 journalists in Maguindanao last year, former Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera related at Bulong Pulungan sa Sofitel the difficulties she and her team encountered when they sought out witnesses and had them brought to General Santos, not in Ampatuan town where the dreaded Ampatuan clan reigned supreme. The skeptics said, “How can you arrest an Ampatuan?” No one believed she would personally go on her dangerous mission, and she was told to wear a bulletproof vest. But she said she only wore a jacket. She was able to take Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., popularly known as Datu Unsay, to Manila where he was whisked into the NBI jail, and remains there to this day.

It was difficult to have families of victims, including journalists, to file affidavits, which along with autopsy and investigation reports were needed for Secretary Agnes to file an inquest in Manila. “There were four Cabinet people who came here, and nothing has happened,” one woman said. But some finally relented, and signed affidavits. The fearless justice secretary, with the help of such people as Atty. Nena Santos, Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor, Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuno, and members of the Philippine National Police, were able to round up suspects, and present witnesses for the prosecution proceedings in Manila. The media, bereaved as it was, had been instrumental too, in convincing victims’ relatives that the woman justice was their ally.

What happened in Maguindanao, Agnes said, was “a gargantuan crime, a crime against humanity.” The ferocity with which she pursued the case was remarkable. Unfortunately she had to give up her quest for justice for the massacre victims when she ran for Congress to represent the first district of Quezon last May. But, she said, it was time for her to take on another public service, this time in law making. (Prior to joining the Department of Justice, she was the Solicitor General, and earlier, served as mayor for ten years in the town of Sampaloc in Quezon.) She lost the election; she said, she was “massacred.”

But the mission to nail down the criminals is now in the able hands of another forceful woman – Secretary Leila de Lima.

Why the case is taking so long to finish, said Agnes, who is now in private law practice and doing consultancies, is that this is no ordinary case, that it is “a crime of conspiracy” involving so many people — many Ampatuans strongly believed to be involved in the massacre are still at large — and the government prosecutors “who are good,” need more researchers and assistants to help them in the difficult and challenging task of prosecuting the criminals.

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Former President Fidel V. Ramos and The Forum for Family Planning and Development will host the 3rd Rafael M. Salas Cup on December 1, Wednesday at the Riviera Golf and Country Club, Silang, Cavite.

Rafael M. Salas, known as Mr. Population, served as the first Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with the rank of UN Under-Secretary General from its establishment in 1969 until his death in 1987.

The 3rd Rafael M. Salas Cup is made possible through the support and sponsorship of First Philippine Holdings Corp., Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Phil. Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), San Roque Power Corporation (SRPC), DKT Philippines, San Miguel Corporation, Group Management Development, Inc Asia United Bank among others.

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The Secret Is in the Soil, a Beginner’s Guide to Natural Gardening, will be launched on December 3 at the Manila Polo Club. With nice illustrations and catchy text, it will teach children the basics of planting. Au naturelle. Authors are PNB chair of the board Flor Gozon Tarriela and Gidget Racelis Jimenez. For inquiries, call Cita, 8671055, or Fely, 6356092 and CP 0919-5567121.

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My e-mail: [email protected]